<p>I've had a few friends that are avid readers, and attached a list of books (obviously books of substance) that they'd read to their college application. They were all accepted at selective schools, but they were great applicants to begin with.
Do you think this will help/hurt an application? I've read a good number of books that are considered "classics," or at least somewhat academic (I.E. not Twilight) both for school and my own enjoyment, over the past few years. On one end it may give AdComs a better idea about your interests, on the other it may just be another list of (possibly) pointless or unwanted info.
What do you guys think? And has anyone heard of this before?
Thanks!</p>
<p>I was thinking of doing this too. I know a college that actually requires this for application.
Maybe put it in the “additional information” section of the common app?</p>
<p>That seems a little irrelevant? I’ve read a ton of books but it seems so self-indulgent to submit a list like that.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It’s not very relevant.</p></li>
<li><p>Anyone can claim to have read a book.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s not really much of an accomplishment and surely hasn’t impacted your school or community.</p></li>
<li><p>It sounds rather stuck-up, insincere, and like the dreaded laundry list.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Read for enjoyment, not for college applications.</p>
<p>I’m not an admissions officer, but a book list would get my rejection stamp.</p>
<p>@RedSeven, thanks for the response. I hope you don’t mind if I argue my case a little bit. I’m a little surprised that you think it may actually lead directly to a rejection. I mean, obviously there’s waaaay more to any application than just an attached “book list”.
Anyone can claim to have joined tons of clubs, done hours of community service, won tons of awards. If an applicant is going to lie, why lie about something like this? </p>
<p>I like to think that being somewhat well-read has had a positive influence on my life, and has made me a better person and more interesting person. I’m only considering doing it because I want a way to show admissions that I’m serious about being well informed, not just a kid who joins clubs and get good grades/scores but doesn’t know much about the world. I am also considering a career in journalism, and reading a lot (for enjoyment) is important for a potential English/English-related major.
Still interested to hear your thoughts.</p>
<p>I’m not who you are directing that response to, but I’d like to add something else for your consideration. I’m not sure what school you go to, but at least at mine, we are required to, at the normal English level, read an incredible amount of classics as well as modern works. I have read quite outside of the AP curriculum but that doesn’t set me too far apart from many other students at my school. I am sure that your school requires you to read Shakespeare and Hawthorne, so unfortunately, I am also quite sure that compiling a list of books won’t make you special. If I was an adcom, I’d probably be irritated to see that, and I wouldn’t read it. The thing is, if you’re applying to an English-related major, you’re not going to be any different than any other student in your freshman year classes. They will all have read the same books, if not more. If you were applying from a school with a 10% graduation rate that failed to pass state examinations, maybe your list would show something about you going above and beyond to educate yourself, but I doubt that is your situation. I’m sorry but it seems like an unnecessary and potentially detrimental addition to your college application. What would set you apart in terms of books, is writing one.</p>
<p>I’m 100% with RedSeven and ias199 on this. This just seem ridiculous to me.</p>
<p>yeah, I dont think u sould. Though it does show ur personality, anyone can say that he/she read so and so book.</p>
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<p>This.</p>
<p>I know a few schools that ask on their supplements for a “few” books that you would recommend/that have really affected you, etc. That’s the place for a book list (albeit a short one). </p>
<p>If you really want to showcase your readings, write an essay on a particular novel. If you have an interview, steer the interview towards your reading and you can discuss various novels with your interviewer.</p>
<p>What if you have a book blog where you post all of your reviews. And you have hundreds of them in archive? Could we give them the URL. </p>
<p>I was planning on talking about my book blog as an EC because I not only read a lot and review the books, but publishers and authors also send be books to review. But now, I’m worried about giving out the URL to colleges because I do have personal posts. Nothing bad, like showing pictures of me drinking (since I don’t) or anything but some of my posts make me sound weird. I have this one where I go on and on about how much I love fanfiction and showing how I dressed up for the Harry Potter premiere. I have this fear that the colleges are going to see that and think I’m nuts. XD</p>
<p>Remember, you’re supposed to “show, not tell.” Show them your worthiness via your challenges, accomplishments and engagement. It’s entirely different when they ask you to list a few books that changed your life.</p>
<p>Btw, a hs kid writing a book isn’t impressive either. Unless you can show substantial sales or national awards. Same goes for kids who do that “write a book in a month” thing. Quality counts more than effort, in the writing arena.</p>
<p>If you review them? Well that could be to your advantage. The question is if they would take the time to go and read it. Adcoms might brush over it, but if they don’t it is to your advantage.</p>
<p>OK, that makes much more sense to me. My school does not offer any APs, and though the advanced track humanities courses are filled with interesting reads, it’s definitely not your AP book list. (interestingly enough we have pretty poor college placement. Two students to Ivies in the last six or seven years) I guess since I don’t know any other students who read for pleasure (OK, I’ll say it again - read more than just Harry Potter and Twilight) it seemed like added proof of academic involvement… oof, now I see why some say it sounds conceited.
I have a friend from another district who was accepted into my top choice school ED last year. He wrote a really interesting essay about reading Allen Ginsburg’s poem Howl and how it affected him. I though that was an interesting idea, definitely an avenue to consider when writing the big ol’ college essay!
@Warholeffect - I want to check out your blog, PM me the link? Sound like we should chat ESP about harry potter!!!
@lookingforward, Hah I think it’s a little late to get started on my novel, since the ED deadline is like November 1st or something… i’ll keep y’all posted when it hits the store though</p>
<p>Harvard actually has one of its five supplemental essay prompts being a list of books you have read in the last year. So obviously, it is not something completely out of the blue.</p>
<p>That said, I would not do it. I don’t see how that can add anything to your app. I also cannot imagine it prompting an immediate rejection…but it would probably be treated with indifference. Ultimately, if I were an admissions officer, I would toss it to the side.</p>
<p>A book list is not necessary - with admissions officers having so many applications to read it may not be wise to attach a book list that is not needed. Still, some schools like Harvard do indeed place great emphasis on the books you have read and for these kinds of schools, a book list would probably look interesting enough. Good luck.</p>
<p>Listing every book you’ve read (even it is just for pleasure) over all years of high school just doesn’t sound interesting, it looks like a desperate measure to seem unique. A lot of kids read for fun (not just Twilight and Harry Potter) so it’s nothing unique. If you want write an essay on a particular book that moved you or how reading affects you personally or maybe dedicate a section of your resume to say you read a lot in your free time.</p>
<p>I don’t see the point of it.</p>
<p>No that is ridic.</p>